Miscellaneous

Hungry for Cajun? How about a Mediterranean dish? Or French food (and more than just french fries)?

One of a kind restaurants
Only in Lubbock:

Cricket's Grill & Draft House, 2412 Broadway.

Double Nickel Steak House, 5405 Slide Road.

Gardski's Restaurant and Bar, 2009 Broadway.

Cagle Steaks, 118 Inler Ave.

River Smith's Chicken and Catfish, 405 Ave. Q.

Stella's Restaurant, 4646 50th St.

Triple J Chop House, 1807 Buddy Holly Ave.

Source: Lubbock Convention and Visitors Bureau

Well, Lubbock has it.

Almost any craving can be satisfied in the Hub City with its more than 100 restaurant choices, said Brian Thomas, director of communications for Lubbock's Convention and Visitors Bureau.

"We do have a lot of restaurants - especially for a city our size."

According to the Lubbock Chamber of Commerce, the city has more restaurants per capita than any other city in the U.S.

And there are more choices than last year.

Several new restaurants have opened in Lubbock recently, including Pei Wei Asian Diner on 82nd Street and Triple J Chop House in the Depot Entertainment District. There are almost too many choices.

Lubbock restaurant industry

Retail sales for local eating and drinking establishments are on an upward trek - sales were about $1.6 million more in 2005 than they were in 1999.

The restaurant industry comprised 10.4 percent of all retail sales in Lubbock County in 2005.

Source: City of Lubbock

But, it's time to pick one.

Here are some suggestions:

First - Decide a price range. Thomas said the average price of a dinner item in Lubbock is between $12 and $15 a person. But you can find cheaper, or more expensive, if you like.

Second - Pick a food type. Lubbock offers many restaurants that specialize in one food type. And there are more than 20 different types of food offered here. Want steak? There are at least 12 different restaurants. Or maybe barbecue is on your mind - there are at least nine choices.

New restaurants

Pei Wei Asian Diner, 4210 82nd St.

Triple J Chop House, 1807 Buddy Holly Ave.

Cheddar's Casual Cafe (re-opened), 4009 S. Loop 289.

Source: Lubbock Convention and Visitors Bureau

Third - Find a restaurant. Thomas says the best way to find a good place to eat is to ask around for personal recommendations.

Should this fail for some reason, check out profiles of Lubbock restaurants that run in Around Town each Friday in The Avalanche-Journal.